News & Events

MORE than 10,000 people have signed up for Penang Starwalk 2011, even as the closing date draws nearer.

As of yesterday, the figure has crossed the halfway mark of the targeted 20,000 walkers — touted as the biggest number in the event’s 34-year history.

The rush to register for Penang’s biggest sporting event has reached a feverish pitch as the closing date for the competition category is Aug 15 and non-competiton category on Sept 1 or when the 20,000 mark is reached, whichever is sooner.

Besides schools and hotels, a growing number of factories have also joined in the scramble to submit their entries for the walk on Sept 18.

Electronics manufacturing ser-vices provider Globetronics Technology Bhd is going one step further this year for charity.

Doing good: (From third left, front row) Michael, Kok Choong, and Ong showing the mock cheque for the association. They are joined by Globetronics employees holding their registration forms.

Apart from sending 110 of its employees to the walk, the company is also contributing RM10,000 to the Penang Down Syndrome Association (PSDA) to help meet its expenses.

Globetronics human resource manager Ng Kok Choong said they invited the children from PDSA to join them in the event as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“We reckon it will be a win-win situation for both the company and the association.

“A charity organisation can benefit while our employees, together with some 20 less privileged children, can enjoy a fun and healthy outing,” he said after Globetronics executive chairman Michael Ng presented a mock cheque for RM10,000 to The Star’s human resource junior executive Fiona Ong on Friday.

Michael, who also submitted 110 entry forms during the ceremony at the Globetronics office in Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone, expressed the hope that their contribution would help create greater public awareness on people affected by Down Syndrome.

“Globetronics has been a strong supporter of Penang Starwalk year after year.

“The healthy nature of the event is in line with the company’s goal to create health awareness among its employees,” he said.

Finance executive Sim Liew Bee, who first took part in the walk at the Esplanade in the 1970s, recalled fond memories of walking together with her grandmother.

“The ambience and atmosphere when thousands of people come together is what make it special and memorable,” said the 54-year old.

Store leader Kamarulzaman Mohd Hanipiah said he planned to bring along his wife and two children to the event.

“This will be my first time joining Starwalk as my schedule did not permit me to join in previous years.

“I hope to make the walk more memorable by bringing the whole family along,” he said.